Dead Kennedys

Lyrics

[Intro]
(Fun, fun, fun in the fluffy chair
Flame up the herb, wolf down the beer
Fun, fun, fun in the fluffy chair
Flame up the herb, wolf down the beer)

Hi, I'm your video DJ!
I always talk like I'm wigged out on quaaludes
I wear a satin baseball jacket everywhere I go
My job is to help destroy
What's left of your imagination
By feeding you endless doses
Of sugar-coated mindless garbage
So, don't create; be sedate
Be a vegetable at home and thwack on that dial
If we have our way, even you will believe
This is the future of rock and roll
MTV, get off the air!

[Verse 1]
How far will you go
How low will you stoop
To tranquilize our minds
With your sugar-coated swill?
You've turned rock-and-roll rebellion
Into Pat Boone sedation
Making sure that nothing's left
To the imagination
[Chorus]
MTV, get off the, MTV, get off the
MTV, get off the air!
MTV, get off the, MTV, get off the
MTV, get off the air!

[Refrain]
Get off the air!

[Verse 2]
See the latest rejects
From The Muppet Show
Shake their tits and their dicks
As they lip-sync on screen
There's something I don't like
About a band who always smiles
Another tax write-off
For some schmuck who doesn't care

[Chorus]
MTV, get off the, MTV, get off the
MTV, get off the air!
MTV, get off the, MTV, get off the
MTV, get off the air!

[Refrain]
Get off the air!
Get off the air!
Get off the air!
[Interlude]

[Bridge]
And so it was our beloved corporate gods
Claimed they created rock video
Allowing it to sink as low in one year
As commercial TV has in twenty-five
"It's the new frontier," they say
"It's wide open, anything can happen"
But you've got a lot of nerve
To call yourself a pioneer
When you're too goddamned conservative
To take real chances
Tin-eared, graph-paper-brained
Accountants instead of music fans
Call all the shots at giant record companies now
The lowest common denominator rules
Forget honesty, forget creativity
The dumbest buy the mostest, that's the name of the game
But sales are slumping, and no one will say why
Could it be they put out one too many lousy records?

[Outro]
MTV, get off the air now!

Have you ever found yourself flipping through channels on your television and coming across music videos that make you question the very essence of music? If so, then you're not alone. The Dead Kennedys, a punk rock band known for their controversial and provocative lyrics, have a bone to pick with MTV and the music industry as a whole. In their song "M.T.V. - Get Off the Air," they express their disdain for the popular music channel and its impact on society.

About M.T.V. - Get Off the Air

"M.T.V. - Get Off the Air" is an aggressive attack on both MTV and the music industry at large. Right from the title, the Dead Kennedys make their intentions clear. They believe that MTV is not only dumbing down its viewers but also pandering to the lowest common denominator. With their trademark sarcasm and biting critique, the band pulls no punches in exposing what they see as the harmful effects of the music industry's commercialization.

It's important to note the cultural context in which this song was written. In the early 1980s, MTV was on the rise and becoming a dominating force in the music industry. With its constant stream of music videos, MTV had the power to shape popular culture and influence the tastes and preferences of its viewers. The Dead Kennedys, however, were not impressed with what they saw.

In "M.T.V. - Get Off the Air," the Dead Kennedys accuse MTV of promoting mindless entertainment and stifling creativity. They argue that the music videos shown on the channel are shallow and manufactured, devoid of any substance or artistic integrity. According to the band, MTV's programming choices catered to the lowest common denominator, appealing to the masses with catchy hooks and superficial visuals, rather than pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo.

Furthermore, the Dead Kennedys were critical of the music industry's influence on artists and the creative process. They believed that the pursuit of commercial success and fame often compromised the authenticity of musicians, leading to watered-down music that lacked any real substance. In their eyes, MTV was complicit in perpetuating this cycle, promoting artists who were more focused on image and marketability than genuine artistic expression.

In their song, the Dead Kennedys draw parallels between MTV and a dystopian reality. They paint a picture of a society where the airwaves are dominated by mind-numbing and soulless music, an eerie portrayal of what they saw happening with the rise of MTV. Through their lyrics, they call for the channel to "get off the air," essentially telling MTV to stop polluting the musical landscape and to allow genuine talent to thrive.

"M.T.V. - Get Off the Air" is not only a scathing critique of MTV but also a rallying cry for artistic integrity and the importance of meaningful music. It reflects the punk ethos of questioning authority and challenging the status quo. The Dead Kennedys used their platform to voice their concerns about the direction of the music industry and to remind listeners that there is more to music than what they see on television.

Even though the song was released in the 1980s, its message still holds relevance today. With the advent of streaming services and social media, the music industry has continued to evolve and face similar criticisms. The issues raised in "M.T.V. - Get Off the Air" transcend time and serve as a reminder to always question the motives behind the music we consume.

In a world where music can be easily commodified and packaged for mass consumption, "M.T.V. - Get Off the Air" is an anthem for authenticity and artistic integrity. It challenges us to look beyond the surface-level entertainment and seek out music that resonates on a deeper level. So the next time you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through music videos, take a moment to reflect on the message of this song and ask yourself, "Is this the kind of music that truly speaks to me?"

• Release Date: October 1985
• Artist: Dead Kennedys